Wednesday 17 December

We all travelled to Welsh Wales today with high hopes of a winner! But as so often happens in racing our dreams were dashed. Kikos was made favourite for the 2m 4f handicap chase, and it looked a weak affair on paper. He was to carry top weight, but he is a big strong lad and we felt that the welter burden would not hinder him in this class. Sam was to ride and he went off the 5/2 Favourite. All was going well, he had a bit of a step at the third,when slightly bothered by a loose horse, but regained his confidence and then jumped well until walking through the fifth last and then making another jolting mistake at the next, after which his race was over and Sam guided him home safely for fourth. We were aware that Kikos was probably better on better ground but felt that he had run well at Uttoxeter on Soft on his penultimate start, and would therefore handle the conditions well enough to be competitive in this grade. Unfortunately it was not to be - Sam came back and reported that Kikos had hated the very soft and deep ground and was never happy on it. Because of him not handling the conditions, the horse was always leaning very heavily on the bit, and Sam could not shorten or lengthen him at his fences and the result being that when he was wrong he was diving at them and making those awful errors. Sam did say that it was a testament to Kikos that he stayed on his feet, and a horse of smaller stature would definitely have fallen. I did say 'Well Sat' to Sam after the race. The good news is that he has come home safe and sound, and we will look for a race on better ground next time.